Starfish still life

"Starfish, baskets and lantern " 11x14 oil still life

My obsession with the sea makes nautical still life subjects appealing to me. 

Collecting starfish is a pleasant childhood memory. Those were carefree days spent with family and friends at the seashore. The vintage lantern and baskets, for me, evoke the sense of times passed with a rhythmic and sensual feeling to them. The palette was limited to unify the painting with a warm color harmony of blues and oranges.

Painting the Still Life

Margarita Time 11x14 oil

   

Muffin top 11x14 oil

 Working with still life setups hones observational skills and keeps a focus on composition and color harmonies. Although I thought I would never do another after 36 years of teaching, I have come to appreciate how helpful they are in keeping me focused on the elements of design. I also enjoy painting objects that I have a connection to, often because of personal experiences or family connections. Is it hard for others to connect for these same reasons?

 

Still life with Starfish 11x14 oil

Warm and Cheery

"And the star is..."  11x14 oil

"A Colorful Spread"  11x14 oil

Using warm colors and subject matter, I wanted  to impart  a cheerful, positive feeling to the viewer. Surrounding oneself with positive energy is, I think,  important. My lifelong love affair with the ocean and beaches attracted me to the starfish as the center of attention for "And the Star is...", and I could visualize the painting in a summer home near the beach. The range of colors in "Colorful Spread" is a  little different for me, but again I was drawn to the positive feeling and warmth it imparts. Maybe it was the long snowy winter, but these little beauties made me smile.